Strike bowler Ishant Sharma [ Images ] is looking to sharpen his yorkers and widen his repertoire to help India defend their title in the Twenty20 [ Images ] World Cup in England [ Images ] next month.

"Conditions in England will be helpful for bowlers and I want to make it memorable for myself," 20-year-old Sharma told the Indian Express on Friday. "It's a huge honour to go in as the defending champions," he added.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni [ Images ] led a young Indian team to surprise success in South Africa [ Images ] in 2007 to ensure the game's newest format gained instant popularity in cricket's commercial hub. "I really have to take care of my economy rate and then I need to work on variations," said the wiry paceman, who was part of a losing Kolkata [ Images ] franchise in the ongoing Indian Premier League [ Images ] Twenty20 in South Africa.

"In Twenty20, you need to have a good yorker and different kinds of slower balls. Also, I am looking to become an impact bowler because nothing else puts the opposing team back like losing early wickets."

Sharma played his first Twenty20 international during the 2008 tour of Australia [ Images ], nine months after making his Test debut, and soon emerged as the leading fast bowler for his country.

Sharma will spearhead a five-man pace attack to exploit the seam-friendly conditions in England with the wily left-armer Zaheer Khan [ Images ] as his new-ball partner.

India are in group A with Bangladesh and Ireland. The tournament starts in June 5.